Said dice



{No Model.)

G. O. HOUQK & J. G. DICE.

FEATHERING OAR OR PADDLE.

No. 451,431. Patented Apr. 28, 1891.

' WITNESSES a 6. MW-

Arm/MUS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE O. HOUCK AND JACOB G. DICE, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIOjSAID DICEASSIGNOR TO SAID HOUCK.

FEATHERING OAR OR PADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 451,431, dated April28, 1891.

Application filed July 14, 1890.

propelling device having oars or paddles adapted to be automaticallyfeathered in their operation,the device being especially adapted forhand-power with small boats, it being capable, however, of beingmodified to suit any kind of water craft and be propelled by any motivepower other than hand.

Our invention consists in the various constructions and combination ofparts hereinafter described, and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a boat towhich our improved device has been attached. Fig. 2 is a detailed viewof one of the paddles at the limit of its backward stroke. Fig. 3 is aside view, partly in section, of the same. Fig. 4 is a transversesectional view showing the means for holding the paddle in theproperposition while being moved backward or forward. Fig. 5 is a detailedview of the operating-lever.

Like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference throughout theseveral views.

In the said drawings, a 0. represent paddles or oars, each provided withan upwardly-projecting shaft or trunnion a, journaled in a pivotedsleeve o in which it is adapted to turn. At or near the upper end of theshaft or spindle a is a connecting-sleeve c journaled between collars aof, secured to said trunnions. The sleeves a are each connected by linksI) to the lower end of a pivoted lever c. The sleeve a is provided witha trunnion d, which passes through a bearing-plate cl, having a circularflange 1 on which the sleeve is adapted to turn. A boss or lug d on saidsleeve is also provided with a seat on the bearing-plate d. The lever cand oars (1, together with their operating parts, are all preferablyattached to a side plate A,wh1ch is preferably secured to theboat'through slot Serial No. 358,696. (No model.)

suitable means, which permit the propelling device to be adjusted withreference to the boat.

- Secured to each of the paddles a, just below the pivoted sleeve a is abearing-block 6, having stop-surfaces e e at right angles to each otherand adapted to travel, respectively, on a bearing-surface f, attached tothe bearing-plate d.

WVe preferably use two oars or paddles a 011 each side of the boat orvessel, said oars or paddles being connected at a common point to thelever a, one oar being arranged on each side of said lever, as shown inFig. 1. An oscillating movementof said lever is thus transmitteduniformly to said cars.

The collars a are provided with projecting lugs or pins 9 and g,arranged at right angles to each other, each of said lugs or pins beingat right angles to one of the bearingsurfaces e e on the bearing-blocke. As the oars are oscillated in either direction, the pins or lugs gare adapted to come in contact with stop projections h or otherwise, andthus revolve the said blades a quarter of a revolution, the stopprojections h being so arranged that the lugs or pins gcome in contacttherewith just as the bearing-surfaces e (2 leave the bearing f on theplate d. IVhen the motion of the oar or paddle is reversed, the opposite bearing-surface comes in contact with said plate, and thus holdssaid oar in sition during the entire stroke.

In operation thelever c is moved backward and forward about its pivotalcenter, causing a similar movement of the oars a. When moved in theforward direction, the oars have their fiat surfaces turned to the wateruntil they reach the limit of their stroke, when the projecting lugs,coming in contact with the stop projections, feather said oars to a position with the edge of the oar presented to the water in the forwardmotion of the boat. It will be seen that by this construction anautomatic feathering paddle or oar is secured, which is held firmly ineither position until it reaches the limit of its stroke.

In operating the boat in the forward position thelever c is moved ineach direction until the lugs or pins come againstthe stop thispoprojections. If it is desired to move the boat ted openings A bybolts, screws, or any other backward, the lever c is moved onlya portionof a stroke, a slow movement being given to the lever on the forwardstroke and a quick movement imparted thereto on the backward stroke.

Ve have shown two paddles or oars adapted to be arranged at each side ofthe boat. It is obvious, however, that one may be dispensed with, ifdesired, by simply disconnecting the link Z) and removing the paddlefrom the supporting-plate A.

It is obvious that the device as thus described admits ofmodificationsin its construction, and we do not limit ourselves to theexact construction set forth, but claim as our invention 1. Thecombination ot a feathering ear or paddle journaled in a pivoted sleeveand having engaging projections at different angles thereon,bearing-faces at right angles to each other and each arranged at rightangles to one of the engaging project-ions, a bearing-plate adapted toengage with said bearing-faces, except when the paddle is at the limitof its stroke in either direction, and stops adapted to contact withsaid engaging projections, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a paddle journaled in a pivoted sleeve andprovided with bearing-faces at right angles to each other, of abearing-plate having an annular flange adapted to engage said sleeve,engaging proj ections on said oar, stop projections adapted to come incontact with said engaging projections at the limit of the stroke of theoar in either direction, and means for oscillating said oar,substantially as specified.

3. The combination of a movable oar a, journaled in movable sleeves a abearingblock 6, having bearing-faces e e on said oar and adapted to turntherewith, stationary stop projections h, and engaging projections g onsaid oar, a sleeve 0; on said oar, pivoted lever c, and aconnecting-link Z1, connecting said sleeve to and said lever,substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof wehavehereunto set our hands this 12th day of July,A. D. 1890.

GEORGE O. IIOUCK. JACOB Gr. DICE.

\Vitnesscs:

JOSHUA Scorr, (alas. I. WELCH.

